Nutrition, Neuritis and Neuropathy

Good nutrition and life style choices can in many cases help
prevent, delay, or reduce inflammatory nerve diseases such as: Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome, Tinnitus, Optic Neuritis, Ischemic Optic Neuropathy, Diabetic
Neuropathy, Retinopathy, Macular Degeneration, symptoms similar to Multiple
Sclerosis, and other diverse nervous system diseases.

Most human diseases are either caused, aggravated or made
worse by poor lifestyle choices, including: nutrition, hygiene, toxin exposure,
environmental pollution and improper use of risky prescription and
over-the-counter medications. Even if you have a family history of certain
diseases, poor lifestyle choices unnecessarily accelerate aging, the progress
of disease, and make the impact much worse. In fact, many diseases that are
common to family members are caused not by DNA-transmitted genetics, but by
exposure to poor lifestyle habits of parents and siblings. The choices that you
make often influence people around you. We must learn to identify previous
mistakes and do what is necessary to prevent, delay or reduce unnecessary
discomfort, disease and untimely death.

The number of avoidable human diseases is very large. Joyful
Aging (or any other human organization) does not have the capacity or
resources to describe how to prevent all unnecessary diseases. None of the
following material is an attempt to diagnose or treat any specific individual.
It is offered for educational purposes only.

Modern medicine can help with many different diseases.
However, in many cases, medical specialists have little or no training in
nutrition. Joyful Aging has chosen to write this material about
the relationship between Nutrition, Neuritis and Neuropathy to point out
some critical issues and limitations of modern medicine. We offer knowledge and
hope where Board Certified Medical Specialists can offer no effective
treatment. Medical doctors are trained in the use of prescription drugs and
surgery, with very little information about things available in common grocery
stores. In fact, for decades, M.D.’s resisted the use of vitamins and food
supplements. We now have solid proof that they were often quite wrong. Federal
legislation now blocks medical doctors from their incorrect previous practices
of resisting alternative medicine, including proper selective applications of
nutritious foods and food supplements. This legislation has encouraged a small
(but increasing) number of medical doctors to independently study nutrition,
far beyond anything required in the institutions that issued their medical
degree. Joyful Aging applauds the efforts of pioneers like Dr.
Andrew Weil, M.D. and Dr.
Russell L. Blaylock, MD. We encourage other medical doctors to follow in
their footsteps.

Neuritis and Neuropathy

In simple terms, neuritis is
inflammation of nerves. Inflammation is the characteristic reaction of bodily
tissues to injury or disease. The tissues are trying to increase their blood
supply to accelerate the healing process or the effectiveness of the natural
immune defense system. Inflammation often involves a “histamine” hormonal
response (similar to adrenaline), which causes vasodilation (blood vessels open
wider) and blood vessel walls become more permeable. This is a natural attempt
to deliver more red and white blood cells to the affected area. Inflammation is
characterized by swelling, redness, heat, and pain.

Inflammation is both a symptom
that results from injury or disease, and a source of further injury and
disease. When blood is cut off from a single nerve fiber (by traumatic injury
such as an impact, blood vessel hemorrhage, ergonomic errors like improper use of
a tool or keyboard, disease, virus, bacteria, toxic poison, pollution, etc),
then a histamine response occurs, which triggers increased blood flow in an
attempt to (1) avoid starvation and (2) deliver antibodies to attack foreign
substances.

In the case of neuritis, the
inflammation of one nerve often pinches the blood supply to adjacent nerves in
the bundle, causing a cascading negative response, which can result in
irreparable nerve damage (such as ischemic neuropathy) if not dealt with
quickly. Once dead, a nerve generally cannot be replaced (unlike muscles).
Before neuropathy (nerve death) occurs, the nerve sends out many signals during
the pre-death phase of neuritis. There accelerated nerve firings are
interpreted by the brain as pain, tingling, heat, pressure, ringing/buzzing
sounds (tinnitus), blinking/flashing visual images (optic neuritis). As
neuritis progresses, starved nerves die (neuropathy), which results in
permanent (partial or total) loss of feeling in the affected area, motor
control (as in advanced carpal tunnel syndrome), deafness (of some or all sound
frequencies) or visual field loss (gray spots in part of what one sees).

If the nerve bundle
inflammation/disease cycle is broken, some adjacent nerve function may be
restored, but the dead nerves typically will not be replaced. (Stem cell
research offers limited hope for the future, but for now the progress in this
area is slow and even constrained legally).

In the case of optic neuropathy of
the optic nerve in one eye, the optical cortex of the brain will learn to to
fill in missing visual fields from one eye with information received from the
other eye. However, people who experience optic neuritis in one eye, frequently
have a similar experience in the other eye within four years, which can
eventually progress to the end state of total blindness where one cannot tell
the difference between day and night. In sever cases, total blindness can
result in one or two months. The point here is that optic neuritis MUST be
dealt with rapidly, as soon as the first sign of a blinking/flashing spot is
sensed in one’s vision. It may look like a small pin wheel flashing in one eye,
or a tiny old-time flickering movie frame. The pressure of closing the eyelids
and rolling ones eyes up/down, left/right and to the corners may cause
increased pain or bright flashes.

Similar strange sensations can
occur in the ears or throughout the entire central nervous system sensory and
motor control paths, as a result of localized neuritis which can eventually
lead to neuropathy. If someone is suffering from inflammation of nerves
and the best medical specialists have run appropriate tests (blood, internal
image scans like computed axial tomography magnetic resonance imaging, spinal
fluid tap, etc.) and the can offer no safe or effective treatment (as in some
cases of optic neuritis), then one should consider rapidly doing significant
research into alternative forms of nutrition and lifestyles changes before
permanent irreversible nerve damage occurs.

There are good and valid arguments
about whether lifestyle changes should be pursued as preventative
measures, or only after serious disease has been diagnosed. But, if one
solution prescribed by a health specialist does not work, or a medical doctor
offers you no hope of a cure for your progressive neuritis / neuropathy, then
seriously consider other alternatives that have a scientific basis for hope of
a partial or complete cure. Do NOT just “wait and see” if neuritis goes away on
its own, unless you are certain that you have removed the original source of
the problem. Altogether too often, patients and medical professions do NOT
fully understand the underlying cause and effect or how to eliminate
unnecessary avoidable neuritis through a variety of lifestyle changes.

IF inflammation is caused by
ischemic neuritis (micro vascular hemorrhages or pinching that cuts off the
blood supply) and causes like viral infection have been ruled out by the best
tests available, then significantly improved nutrition MAY be an
effective treatment.

AVOID KNOWN NEUROTOXINS AND EXCITOTOXINS !

In general, you should absolutely
avoid known “neurotoxins” (poisons that kill neurons) such as smoking, intoxicating
alcohol, and “excitotoxins” (including: MSG, aspartame, NutraSweet, Equal and other sugar
substitutes). Many forms of pepper are at least mildly neurotoxic. Heavy
metals like lead and mercury (in fish, metal tooth fillings, etc.) are known to
kill neurons. The more neurotoxins consumed, and the longer the exposure, the
more significant the rate of progressive irreversible neuropathy.

Since the impact of environmental
and food-based neurotoxins takes place over a long period of time, the underlying
cause-and-effect is often difficult to fully understand. The precise reason for
a “last straw that broke the camel’s back” acute episode of neuritis may
actually be a minor event, which causes a long-term neurotoxin exposure (or ergonomic
repetitive strain injury - RSI) to surface as an irritating neuritis episode.

Even a minor case of neuritis (like
a small flashing sparkle in one eye) should not be taken lightly. It could very
well be the first clear signal of the damage caused by long-term bad habits,
which will soon result in significant nervous system damage, such as partial or
complete blindness, deafness and progressive loss of sensation or motor control
(similar to multiple sclerosis) in part or all of the body. Localized
small-area neuritis may be a first-or-last warning of much worse neuropathy in
the near future.

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Merely taking an over-the-counter or
prescription anti-inflammatory drug is merely dealing with the symptom, while
ignoring the root cause disease, injury or toxin that triggered the inflammation.
Self-prescribed painkillers like aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen and naproxen
are conceptually similar to removing the battery from a smoke detector, while
ignoring the fact that your house is burning down. If you ask an American “What
should you do if you have pain?” they will probably say “Take a (pill)” instead
of “Study the root cause of the pain and correct the problem that caused it.”

If a doctor prescribes
anti-inflammatory drugs for you, discuss the known side effects and
contraindications carefully (or consider getting a second superior medical
opinion). Corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs are known to cause or increase:
diabetes, osteoporosis, elevate LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides and
reduce HDL (good) cholesterol, causing heart attacks, brain strokes, etc. Corticosteroid
impact on the central nervous system often triggers mild to severe confusion,
depression, mania, psychosis and even suicide.

These over-used prescription
anti-inflammatory drugs are very addictive, almost immediately creating a state
of dependence on them. When the adrenal gland senses excess hormones, it shuts
down, as do other healthy bodily functions. A period of gradual detoxification
is required, while the adrenal gland relearns to produce its own replacement hormones.
During the process of excess steroid detoxification, disease-causing inflammation
can rage throughout the entire otherwise healthy body, triggering many
unnecessary and avoidable medical symptoms in the joints and most internal
organs.

The use of prescription steroids
is generally a medically myopic shortsighted symptomatic approach (promoted and
encouraged by profit-motivated pharmaceutical companies), which metaphorically removes
smoke detector batteries, while pouring alcohol on a house fire. For decades, intelligent
organizations like the Consumers
Union, have warned against such powerful prescription medications that cause
unnecessary disease and even iatrogenic death.

Vasodilators

IF someone is having neuritis or
neuropathy caused by vascular deterioration micro hemorrhages, it is very
important to avoidvasodilators and blood thinners, which arein many prescription drugs used to treat high blood pressure, etc. Examples
of popular but dangerous vasodilators include hydralazine, minoxidil and sodium
nitroprusside. Vasodilators have other negative effects. Hydralazine and
minoxidil cause: (1) a reflex tachycardia - that is often profound requiring
beta-blockade; (2) rebound Na retention that antagonizes their hypotensive
action and requires aggressive use of a loop diuretic while may have another
negative impact on proper cellular hydration.

Food supplements like Ginkgo
Biloba (used indiscriminately to maintain alertness) are also vasodilators,
which is known to increase bleeding in some cases. Combining prescription vasodilators
and some concentrated food supplements can be unpredictably dangerous,
particularly when the prescribing physician does not know it is being done, or
has no knowledge of food supplements (which is a common situation).

Blood Thinners

Prescription blood thinners are
used to break up or help prevent blood clots in mild heart victims, but they
may be the wrong thing to prescribe for someone suffering from mild or severe
vascular hemorrhage. Some foods like alfalfa-based products are also blood
thinners.

Most over-the-counter
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like: aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen,
naproxen, and their various particular brand names (check the label) are blood
thinners. Taking one of these over-used heavily-advertised products may
temporarily silence your neuritis smoke detector pain, but it may also be like
pouring flammable alcohol on a house fire in a stupid attempt to put out the
flames.

Antioxidants - Slowing The Rate Of Neuron and Vascular Aging and Decay

Our cells, tissues and organs are
constantly exposed to environmental toxins, pollution and internal metabolic
processes that contain “oxidizers,” “free radicals,” pollutants, toxins,
fumigants, heavy metals, preservatives and carcinogens,
which accelerate the rate of aging, disease, and
cellular decay. When blood vessel walls become weak, they break open. Blood
released in a brain hemorrhage rips apart the neural network where memories are
stored. Vascular hemorrhages anywhere in the body can cut off the blood supply
to tiny neurons causing localize neuritis and cascading neuropathy.

To reduce (but not eliminate) the
impact of environmental oxidative aging accelerators (in blood vessels, nerves,
etc.), most people suffering from neuritis should increase their intake of
high-pigment natural antioxidants. Fruits,
fruit skins and seeds from blueberries, blackberries, strawberries,
raspberries, plums, oranges, dark grapes, cherries and red tomatoes contain
powerful antioxidants that protect the fruit and significantly slow down their
aging process. Vegetables like kale, spinach, alfalfa sprouts, broccoli
florets, and red bell peppers have similar protective antiaging benefits for
most people. These foods can slow the onset, and significantly reduce the
lifetime damage caused by, many different age-related diseases.

The dark pigments in some fruits and
vegetables help keep them from decaying in the sun. If we consume fruit and vegetable
antioxidants, we will visibly sunburn less rapidly, and also slow the rate of
aging of our internal organs, including our cardiovascular system, from our
heart and lungs, down to our smallest micro capillaries, like those that supply
the individual neurons in our sensory organs (eyes, ears, etc.).

If a fresh, diverse supply of
fruit and vegetable antioxidants is not immediately available, food supplements
can be helpful for many individuals. For example:

Grapeseed Extract neutralizes free radicals 50 times more effectively than
Vitamin E. Grapeseed Extract has the unique property of sticking to connective
tissue, which is what blood vessels are made of. Thus, it reduces the rate of
vascular aging (by slowing oxidation) and free radical damage.

One problem with the food supplement
industry is that it is largely unregulated, with no assurance that the product
contains what the label says. Grapeseed Extract pills should be a purple color.
Some inferior grapeseed extract pills that are white in color probably contain
a lot of filler.

Bilberry Extract (European blueberry) is an effective antioxidant that also
provides essential nutrients, which the eyes and retina need, like retinol
purple, etc.

Other fat-based and water-based antioxidants
may be effective in reducing other forms of neuritis. Antioxidants should be
spread out during the day, rather than all consumed at once. A goal should be
to maintain a uniform level of antioxidants throughout the day. As antioxidants
are “oxidized” or used up, they need to be replaced or recharged.

Antioxidants are used up when they
contact free radicals. It is estimated that every cell in a human may be
exposed to 10,000 free-radical hits per day (depending on our lifestyle, pollution/toxin
exposure, and overall level of “oxidative stress”). Free radicals cannot be
eliminated, but they can be greatly reduced and neutralized, which will slow
many oxidative aging processes and greatly delay (or eliminate) the onset of
many types of deadly diseases.

Oil-based antioxidants like
Vitamin E, protect cell membranes (and nerve fiber myelin sheath). Water-based
antioxidants like Vitamin C protect the internal chemical factories inside the
cell. Water-based antioxidants can penetrate fatty cell membranes. Water-based
antioxidants can “recharge” oil-based antioxidants. An excess of water-based
vitamins can be flushed through the system rapidly, but oil-based vitamins
accumulate in a variety of cells and organs like the liver.

Trans Fatty Acids (“hydrogenated” vegetable oil products found in a huge
number of processed foods) are the NUMBER ONE SOURCE OF HEART DISEASE, which is
the number one killer of Americans. Trans fats (in most margarine, fried foods,
baked products, etc.) are the worst cause of clogged arteries, which prevents
proper blood flow through micro capillaries to nerves, and every other type of
cell in the body. The danger of deadly trans fats has only been fully
understood recently. The FDA is requiring food vendors to add trans fat content
to mandated food labels by 2006, but for now, avoid foods that have “partially
hydrogenated” among their ingredients.

Essential Fatty Acids, like Omega 3 fatty acid found in walnuts and canola
(rapeseed) oil are essential to life. Our entire central nervous system and
especially our brain consists largely of structural fats. Every nerve fiber is
coated with a fatty “myelin sheath,” which acts like the insulation around
electrical wires. A NO FAT DIET IS EXTREMELY BAD FOR NERVES. Click on Good
Versus Bad Fats above for a very detailed explanation. AVOID TRANS FATS AND
COMSUME MORE ESSENTIAL OMEGA 3 FATTY ACID TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF YOUR NERVOUS
SYSTEM.